Board of Directors

Next scheduled board meeting:

The next meeting of the board of directors of Crested Butte Mountain Educational Radio, KBUT-FM will be Monday, March 9th, 2015, at 6:30 pm at Crested Butte Town Hall. For more information call (970) 349-5225 or email gm@kbut.org. The public is welcome to attend. Read KBUT's Open Meeting Policy here.

The Board of Directors meets every other month and usually schedules meetings on the first Monday of that month at 6:30pm. Dates are subject to change.

5-Year Strategic Plan

The KBUT Board of Directors has recently finalized a five year strategic plan (2012-2017), providing a vision for continued growth & success in serving our community. All future goals are developed keeping our Mission Statement in mind: "KBUT Community Radio exists to enrich and unify the Gunnison Valley through information, entertainment and community involvement."

Board Members

The KBUT Board of Directors is comprised of nine volunteer members. Their duties include hiring and evaluating the general manager, developing and implementing a long-range strategic plan outlining the goals and objectives of the station, fundraising and fiscal accountability. Terms are for three years. Members are elected by the membership at the Annual Members’ Meeting held every year. The board holds a regular meeting every other month, and meetings are open to the public.

Jeff Scott, President

Jeff has been listening to sounds emitted over the airwaves since he was a wee lad, and he has been listening to KBUT's airwaves since moving here in 2004. Like a moth to flame, he was drawn to KBUT's focus on the community, so when asked to be on the Board shortly after moving here, he jumped at the chance. A product designer, business consultant, and tech-savvy super-geek, Jeff has an uncanny ability to think both outside the box and way beyond any shape you throw at him, and KBUT's community is all the better for it.

Carlos Velado, Vice-President

Carlos Velado has been a DJ and supporter of KBUT since 2000. His life as a KBUT DJ began shortly after he moved to the valley as the host of the Midnight Creeper Show. He decided to run for the Board of Directors in order to give more to the station that he believes is one of the best in the world. He is currently the Community Development Director for the Town of Mt Crested Butte.

Steve Crowley, Treasurer

After a circuitious few decades around the Western United States, Steve finally got a map and is realizing his life-long dream of moving to Gunnison, Colorado and teaching at Western State Colorado University. He had many adventures on his journey to Gunnison. Along the way he has picked up a BS in accounting and finance, a master’s in accounting, a Ph.D. in accounting and information systems, a CPA license in Colorado and a Certified Management Accountant’s (CMA) certificate. Steve has used his skills to teach university students accounting and finance concepts as a professor at seven campuses and has helped launch businesses in the construction and craft brewing industries.

Radio has always played an important role in Steve’s life and he has been streaming KBUT for quite some time. KBUT is a fantastic community resource and he contacted Josh Elmer to inquire about programmer training in the fall of 2013. After completing the first training session, Josh told Steve that there might also be an opportunity for someone living in Gunnison with Steve’s skill set to serve on the station’s board. What a great way to take his involvement in radio to another level and give back to something that has impacted his life in such a positive way!

Nancy Wicks, Secretary

Nancy Wicks moved to the Gunnison Valley in 1992. She grew up in Iowa surrounded by farms and was inspired to be a farmer while doing a study abroad in a small village in Nepal during college. Nancy has been striving to live “sustainably” at the base of Round Mountain with all her electricity coming from the sun and wind and living in a straw bale house and growing year-round in a well insulated greenhouse.

In 2002, Nancy established Round Mountain Institute to promote sustainable living, alternative building and organic gardening through education programs. Through this non-profit endeavor, Nancy learned a lot about what a board member’s responsibilities entail. Now Nancy is excited to be a part of the KBUT Board of Directors. KBUT is like Nancy’s roommate out on the farm! Nancy is so ready to give back to her community by helping KBUT grow and thrive.

Kirsten Atkins

I first came to Crested Butte in 1987 taking a semester off from college to ski and have been here ever since. Although I have travelled to many different places, I have always returned, not just for the beauty of this place but because of a sense of belonging to this incredible community. My work experience here includes 27 winter seasons at the Adaptive Sports Center where I am the Instructor Trainer, waitressing at more than a half a dozen restaurants and bars, some stints in retail, housekeeping, landscaping, advertising sales, and probably a few other things long forgotten. I have also volunteered and been heavily involved in local and statewide environmental organizations.

KBUT has been a part of my Crested Butte experience for as long as I can remember. Helping with a Pete Smith memorial show, recording the Crested Butte Forest Rescue Turn it Up!dates, and hanging out with DJ friends at the bus barn are all cherished parts of my KBUT past. Currently, I enjoy listening to KBUT most of my days, and turn to my community radio station for news and information, often streaming KBUT when I am away from home. Looking forward, I am ready and willing to give back to this great organization with my time and effort. I look forward to new challenges and to the many things that I can learn from working with the talented people of this organization. I have the time and energy to help ensure that our community radio station continues to be an amazing and valuable resource to our valley.

Heather Bischoff

Heather grew up tuned-in to diverse radio (both commercial and non-profit) in the northeast and got her feet wet in 2003 behind the scenes at 88.5 WRUR in Rochester, NY. She worked as Creative Services Director in addition to DJing and supporting efforts in event production, fundraising, promotions and business management. Most notably, she organized and presented a Katrina Relief Concert showcasing local music while raising awareness and funds for New Orleans. Additionally, Heather has worked/DJed at 102.7 WEQX in Manchester, VT and 105.9 WOMM in Burlington, VT and continue to seek out unique stations where ever she goes (KBUT being partly why she's chosen to call CB home).

Similar to her broadcasting experience,Heather has worked with a variety of independent publishing projects which has further solidified her belief in the power of alternatives to mainstream media. As a Board Member, she is empowered to fulfill these beliefs by dedicating time/energy to our station's mission. She is particularly interested in Development, Events and Creative Consulting.

Karah Cunningham

Karah Cunningham has been involved with KBUT since 1991, becoming a volunteer DJ when she moved to CB. Karah wanted to be more involved and learn new skills so ran and got elected for the BOD in January of 2011. She enjoys all the challenges that have come up to keep and make KBUT an exceptional station and experience. Karah particularly enjoys community outreach and fundraising for the station. She plans on many more years with KBUT.

Alex Fenlon

Alex Fenlon is a long-time community radio fan, having grown up in a household surrounded by NPR and classical music. He has been on the KBUT Board of Directors for the last 6 years, serving as President from 2011-2013. Before his service on the Board, he started as a volunteer DJ in 1997, and was on the staff for 8 years.

Alex is enthused about KBUT's current capital campaign and the completion of the new transmitter project in Gunnison. He is a professional photographer based in Crested Butte, where he lives with his wife and 4-year old daughter.

Marcus Lock

Marcus fell in love with the Gunnison Valley more than a decade ago and has been an avid listener of public radio for most of his life. Marcus realizes how fortunate we are to have KBUT in our community and that this incredible resource exists as a direct result of the commitment and dedication of KBUT’s volunteers and staff. Marcus depends on KBUT to satiate his eclectic taste in all things music, news, and entertainment.

As the managing member of Law of the Rockies, Marcus practices law in a wide range of areas. He hopes that he will be able to use his knowledge and experience as an attorney to further the interests of KBUT and help protect this valuable community asset. When Marcus is not in the office, he is usually spending time with his wife and five kids in this gigantic playground we all call home.